Transcript - Remarks: Joe Biden Welcomes NBA Champs Golden State Warriors to The White House - January 17, 2023 | Factba.se

Kamala Harris

00:00:00 - 00:00:14 ()

Good afternoon. Everybody, please have a seat. Good afternoon. Good afternoon.

Kamala Harris

00:00:14 - 00:00:21 ()

It's good to see everyone. It is so good to see everyone. What a wonderful day in Washington, D.C.

Kamala Harris

00:00:21 - 00:00:25 ()

So, while we are gathered here, I do want to take a moment

Kamala Harris

00:00:25 - 00:00:40 ()

to address the many Californians who have been impacted by the extreme weather that has hit the state. They and our very courageous first responders are in our thoughts and in our prayers.

Kamala Harris

00:00:40 - 00:00:53 ()

And I have been in constant contact with California's state leaders. And the President will have more to say about our administration's response. But they are very much -- those Californians -- in our mind.

Kamala Harris

00:00:53 - 00:01:07 ()

And now, I will talk about our beloved Warriors. [Applause]

Kamala Harris

00:01:07 - 00:01:30 ()

So, as a very proud daughter of Oakland, California -- [applause] -- it gives me immense personal pride as the Vice President of the United States to say: Dub Nation is in the house! [Applause]

Kamala Harris

00:01:30 - 00:01:35 ()

My family and my Bay Area friends are among the many

Kamala Harris

00:01:35 - 00:01:42 ()

who are gathered here to congratulate our Golden State Warriors, the 2022 NBA Champions. [Applause]

Kamala Harris

00:01:42 - 00:02:06 ()

So, on a personal note, I have been a Warriors fan my entire life. And this team has been a constant source of joy and pride for me and for so many of us.

Kamala Harris

00:02:06 - 00:02:17 ()

Doug and I, the first Second Gentleman of the United States, together with our family, who are here, have watched this team on television and in person.

Kamala Harris

00:02:17 - 00:02:34 ()

I have a fond memory of a particular playoff game in Oakland, at Oracle. So, we were headed to the game but stuck in standstill traffic, and we were worried that we were going to miss the tip-off.

Kamala Harris

00:02:34 - 00:02:56 ()

Now, I was the Attorney General of California at the time. And to the dismay of my security detail, I decided to jump out the car -- [laughter] -- and take BART instead. [Applause] And got on a jam-packed train with all the other fans.

Kamala Harris

00:02:56 - 00:03:01 ()

We got to the game on time. And, yes, the Warriors did win. [Applause]

Kamala Harris

00:03:01 - 00:03:15 ()

It was a glorious day. And I even caught my Lakers-fan husband cheering them on. [Laughter]

Kamala Harris

00:03:15 - 00:03:32 ()

Six years later, after President Biden and I were elected, the Warriors presented me with a jersey with the number 49 to commemorate my number as Vice President. It still hangs next to our treadmill at home. [Laughter]

Kamala Harris

00:03:32 - 00:03:46 ()

And as many of you may know, I work out every morning. So, every morning, I look at that jersey: a symbol of grit, determination, and teamwork.

Kamala Harris

00:03:46 - 00:04:18 ()

My pride in the Warriors today is not only because they win, but because these players, their coaches, and this entire organization consistently stand for the principles of equity, equality, and justice -- [applause] -- which they do with

Kamala Harris

00:04:18 - 00:04:20 ()

great integrity and excellence.

Kamala Harris

00:04:20 - 00:04:23 ()

So, for all of this, I congratulate our Warriors.

Kamala Harris

00:04:23 - 00:04:28 ()

And it is now my great honor to introduce two people who

Kamala Harris

00:04:28 - 00:04:34 ()

embody and live by these important principles. One of them

Kamala Harris

00:04:34 - 00:04:46 ()

is a two-time MVP and a four-time NBA champion. The other is the champion of our nation. [Laughter] You're welcome. [Laughter]

Kamala Harris

00:04:46 - 00:04:57 ()

Please welcome Steph Curry and the President of the United States, Joe Biden. [Applause]

Joe Biden

00:04:57 - 00:05:08 ()

Hello, everyone. Please have a seat if you have it. I'm tempted to say, as honored as I am to be here speaking, I'm not sure I wouldn't be more excited if I was standing back there. [Laughter]

Joe Biden

00:05:08 - 00:05:24 ()

Kamala, thank you very much. It feels like a Warrior home game, and that is the toughest ticket in town. And this has been a tough ticket to get in town.

Joe Biden

00:05:24 - 00:05:40 ()

Nancy Pelosi -- where are you, Nance? Nancy? [Applause] The greatest Speaker in our history, and this is her home court right here. [Laughter and applause]

Joe Biden

00:05:40 - 00:05:42 ()

Folks, it's so wonderful to be here.

Joe Biden

00:05:42 - 00:05:47 ()

Paul -- good to see you, Paul. [Applause] God love you. That's the man.

Joe Biden

00:05:47 - 00:06:28 ()

There's several other members of the California delegation here -- who are also here, and along with several city and state leaders. But as Kamala said, we're -- we're all closely monitoring the storms, the floods, the landslides all across California. And our heart is with all of the families -- all the families in the communities that are hurting, and all the brave and historic -- and heroic first responders.

Joe Biden

00:06:28 - 00:07:09 ()

Working closely with Governor Newsom -- I'm in constant contact with -- and the entire delegation, I issued a disaster declaration to support recovery and to rebuild. And I'll be traveling to California on Thursday to assess the damage and see what additional support may be needed.

Joe Biden

00:07:09 - 00:07:22 ()

Difficult moments like this remind us that we are one America. We're one America. And, folks, I know the team we're honoring today understands what it takes to work together.

Joe Biden

00:07:22 - 00:07:30 ()

Let me just say that the Golden State Warriors are always welcome in this White House. Always welcome. [Applause]

Joe Biden

00:07:30 - 00:07:35 ()

No more droughts. [Laughter] I mean in California.

Joe Biden

00:07:35 - 00:08:05 ()

And congratulations to the team's owner, Peter and Joe. Congratulations to the staff and coaches and fans and, most especially, to the incredible players standing behind me.

Joe Biden

00:08:05 - 00:08:26 ()

Today, the Golden State Warriors are known as one of the most successful franchises in basketball and all of sports. And four NBA titles, six finals, and -- in the last eight seasons. That ain't bad, man. [Laughter] That ain't bad. The stat line of a dynasty.

Joe Biden

00:08:26 - 00:08:49 ()

But the last couple of years were pretty tough. You struggled in 2020, missed the playoffs in '21, and critics wondered if this team was gone for good as a championship team. But, fellas, I know what it feels like. [Laughter and applause] I've been there.

Joe Biden

00:08:49 - 00:08:54 ()

But as my dad used to say, "Joe, get up. Just get up, and never give up."

Joe Biden

00:08:54 - 00:08:57 ()

But you never gave up, and you always believed.

Joe Biden

00:08:57 - 00:09:03 ()

Coached by one of the greats, a man of courage and humility -- five rings as a player, four as a coach: Steve Kerr. [Applause]

Joe Biden

00:09:03 - 00:09:22 ()

And, by the way, he's running out of fingers. [Laughter] You all see the size of those rings? He has to walk around like this. [The President bends forward] [Laughter]. Well, I tell you what -- [laughs] --

Joe Biden

00:09:22 - 00:10:04 ()

And one of the best executives in sports, Bob Myers, who rebuilt -- [applause] -- and reimagined a team around the Big 3: Steph, Draymond, and -- and [DEL: Kay :DEL] [Klay]. Well, you guys are something incredible. I mean, you add up to 72 feet? [Laughter] You're amazing. I swear to God, you're incredible. [Laughter] Who worked like hell to come back after missing two and a half seasons in injuries. You brought Andre, and you signed another group of up-and-coming stars.

Joe Biden

00:10:04 - 00:10:33 ()

In 2022, you showed what you're all about: heart and hustle. Finishing near the top of the Western Conference at the end of the regular season. In the playoffs, defeating Denver, Memphis, and Dallas. And in the finals, beating the Boston Celtics for the Warriors' seventh title in franchise history. That's pretty damn good. [Applause]

Joe Biden

00:10:33 - 00:10:40 ()

And, Steph, earning your first Finals MVP award. Finals. That's not bad, man. [Laughter] How's it feel compared to all those other MVPs? [Laughter]

Stephen Curry

00:10:40 - 00:10:42 ()

It was the best one.

Joe Biden

00:10:42 - 00:10:44 ()

It was the best one? All right. [Laughter]

Joe Biden

00:10:44 - 00:11:05 ()

Well, I tell you what -- it goes with his two regular season MVP awards, including the first unanimous MV- -- MVP in NBA history. [Applause] It cemented his place in history among the best ever.

Joe Biden

00:11:05 - 00:11:26 ()

You know, and they don't do it with a style of play that does anything other than reflect America: constant motion with individual freedom and personality that comes together as one team -- a team that plays with joy, with drive to be their best, and reflects the vibrancy of the Bay and the culture of our country.

Joe Biden

00:11:26 - 00:11:37 ()

And no wonder -- it's no wonder why millions of people at home and around the world stop and watch you play. And that's true. Wherever they can tune in, they watch.

Joe Biden

00:11:37 - 00:11:48 ()

You entertain and, above all, you do something that I don't even think you guys think about a lot: You inspire. You inspire. Unrelated to basketball, you just inspire.

Joe Biden

00:11:48 - 00:12:04 ()

And let me close with this. On Sunday, it would have been Dr. King's 94th birthday. I believe -- I had the great honor of being the first sitting President to deliver a sermon at Sunday service at -- at his cherished Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta.

Joe Biden

00:12:04 - 00:12:26 ()

Fellas, we've been on some big stages, but that was something special and humbling for me. You could feel his spirit. You literally could feel his spirit, at least I could -- his moral vision of a beloved community where -- where we move forward and we move forward together.

Joe Biden

00:12:26 - 00:12:35 ()

It's exactly 60 years ago this month when President Kennedy hosted the Boston Celtics as the first NBA championship team to visit the White House.

Joe Biden

00:12:35 - 00:12:47 ()

A few months later, in August, a Celtic legend, Bill Russell, returned to Washington, this time to stand at the Lincoln Memorial to hear Dr. King deliver his "I Have a Dream" speech.

Joe Biden

00:12:47 - 00:13:02 ()

I know this is the first season without Mr. Russell since his passing last year, and we miss him. But we know that all of you carry forward the through-line of greatness and service that he and Dr. King represented.

Joe Biden

00:13:02 - 00:13:26 ()

It's fitting we continue the tradition to host the day after Dr. King's holiday. Look at what this team does: speaking out against racism, standing up for equality -- I mean speaking out loudly against racism; standing up for equality; encouraging people to vote; empowering children and their families to eat healthy, learn, and play in safe places; rallying the country against gun violence.

Joe Biden

00:13:26 - 00:13:46 ()

And, Coach, I want to thank you again. I want to thank you again. [Applause] I really mean it.

Joe Biden

00:13:46 - 00:13:55 ()

[Inaudible] his dad was a great man and professor at Beirut University, and so much more. But he was a victim of gun violence. But it matters.

Joe Biden

00:13:55 - 00:14:13 ()

We always believed that America can be summed up, I believe, in a single word. I was asked by Xi Jinping on the Tibetan Plateau some years ago. He said, "Can you define America for me?" This is the God's truth. And I said, "Yes, in one word: possibilities. Possibilities."

Joe Biden

00:14:13 - 00:14:31 ()

Each of you, individually and together as a team, proved that anything is possible if we do it together. There's nothing beyond the capacity of this country if we work together. Nothing. I really mean it and believe that with my whole heart and soul.

Joe Biden

00:14:31 - 00:14:49 ()

Our national motto is: E plur- -- E pluribus unum. Out of many, one. Well, you put the Dub Nation in that [inaudible]. [Laughter] Strength in numbers. That's the Warrior spirit. But that's also America.

Joe Biden

00:14:49 - 00:15:05 ()

And now it's my honor to introduce someone I really admire not just as a player but as a person. And we all know the [DEL: state :DEL] [stat] line of championships and MVPs. We see the highlight reels -- one of the sharpest shooters to ever play the game.

Joe Biden

00:15:05 - 00:15:20 ()

But when you watch Steph Curry play, you also see a man of character who puts in the work, who walks his faith, who loves his family, and brings people together as one of the great sportsmen of our time.

Joe Biden

00:15:20 - 00:15:25 ()

And besides that, he -- the only thing he and I really have in common: We both married way above our station. [Laughter] Way above our station. [Applause]

Joe Biden

00:15:25 - 00:15:25 ()

Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Steph Curry. [Applause]

Stephen Curry

00:15:25 - 00:15:52 ()

Thank you for that, President Biden, Vice President Harris, the entire White Hous- -- White House staff. Thank you all for welcoming us here.

Stephen Curry

00:15:52 - 00:16:10 ()

The entire organiz- -- Warriors organization, every teammate, every coach, front office, executive staff, everybody that's here celebrating with us. We are a team. We do it together. And to be able to celebrate our championship together with you here, it means a lot to bring that trophy here. It means a lot.

Stephen Curry

00:16:10 - 00:16:30 ()

I think we were here seven years ago for our first championship. So, to have another opportunity to be here, it means -- it means the world. We had a connection obviously with your former boss, President Obama, with his Chicago ties and watching Coach Kerr and celebrating championships there.

Stephen Curry

00:16:30 - 00:16:55 ()

But there is a connection to you. I know you grew up in Scranton, Pennsylvania. And that's two hours away from Philly, which is where the Warriors organization began. In 1946, we won our first championship. So '46 has a nice ring with him -- [laughter] -- with you as the 46th President. So that is a great connection there.

Stephen Curry

00:16:55 - 00:17:06 ()

And then, obviously, Vice President Harris representing Oakland, representing the Bay Area the way that we do every time we step foot on the court. What you've been able to do here in D.C., it means -- means the world.

Kamala Harris

00:17:06 - 00:17:07 ()

Stephen Curry

00:17:07 - 00:17:12 ()

So, you are, I know, a huge fan. And you're loud with it, too. And we -- we love that. [Laughter] So, we appreciate you. Keep doing --

Kamala Harris

00:17:12 - 00:17:13 ()

Stephen Curry

00:17:13 - 00:17:13 ()

Kamala Harris

00:17:13 - 00:17:14 ()

Stephen Curry

00:17:14 - 00:17:18 ()

We love that. We love that spirit. And we want to continue to make you proud with everything that we do.

Kamala Harris

00:17:18 - 00:17:19 ()

Stephen Curry

00:17:19 - 00:17:38 ()

And, again, for us to be here -- to find the common synergies within, you know, what we do on the court and what we represent. And when it comes to providing hope, inspiration, belief to everybody that watches us play, that's what you do in your roles leading our country.

Stephen Curry

00:17:38 - 00:17:50 ()

And to continue to do exactly what you said -- do things together, continue to preach that message -- that's -- that's what we're all about, and obviously in the pursuit of winning championships and doing amazing things.

Stephen Curry

00:17:50 - 00:18:09 ()

We brought some gifts for you. We have two jerseys -- a number 46 and a number 49 -- that we would love to have you a part of Dub Nation forever. [Laughter] And maybe find it maybe on the wall in the Oval Office or in your office. [Laughter]

Stephen Curry

00:18:09 - 00:18:15 ()

That would be -- we'll come back -- hopefully, we'll be able to come back and check and see if it's up there. But -- [laughter] --

Stephen Curry

00:18:15 - 00:18:45 ()

I want to say, again, thank you for letting us be here to celebrate. And for our families, our staff, everybody here on the stage, it means the world. And hopefully this isn't the last time.

Stephen Curry

00:18:45 - 00:18:49 ()

So, thank you. [Applause]